Children in Canada typically receive around 10 to 14 different vaccines from birth to 6 years old, given at multiple times according to the provincial or territorial immunization schedules. These include vaccines for diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal infections, rotavirus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, and influenza (flu) starting at 6 months of age. The exact number of doses varies by vaccine and age schedule. The routine vaccination schedule includes immunizations:
- At birth (e.g., Hepatitis B in some provinces)
- At 2, 4, and 6 months
- At 12 and 18 months
- At 4 to 6 years old
Annual flu vaccines are also recommended for children starting at 6 months. Additional vaccines such as meningococcal quadrivalent and Tdap-IPV booster shots are given during early childhood. Overall, children receive multiple doses of about a dozen vaccines in early childhood as part of Canada's free, publicly funded immunization programs, with some variation by province and territory.
